Principles & Protection
Our core safeguarding principles and who we protect
Our Principles
We believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Kindness must never come at the expense of safety.
All volunteers and partners share responsibility for maintaining safe practice.
Who This Protects
Our safeguarding responsibilities extend to:
- People and families receiving support
- Volunteers involved in packing and delivery
- Referrers and partner organisations we work alongside
- The wider community where deliveries take place
Need to Refer Someone?
Referrals to The Afiyya Foundation must come from recognised professionals or approved partner organisations. This ensures support is provided fairly, safely, and with integrity.
We are unable to accept self-referrals or direct public requests for support.
Safe Practices
How we ensure safety in referrals and volunteer activity
Safe Referrals
All referrals must:
- Come from a professional who holds safeguarding responsibility
- Include any information relevant to safety or risk
- Confirm consent from the individual
- Highlight any known food allergies or dietary requirements, as these are part of safeguarding and help ensure deliveries are appropriate and safe
This ensures that support is delivered in a safe, informed, and coordinated way.
Volunteer Protection
Volunteers are not expected to enter homes, manage crises, or take personal risks.
We commit to:
- Providing clear delivery information and guidance
- Allowing volunteers to refuse or withdraw from unsafe situations
- Responding promptly to any concerns raised during delivery
The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers are essential to everything we do.
Incident Management & Boundaries
How we handle concerns and maintain appropriate boundaries
Dealing with Concerns or Incidents
If a concern arises before, during, or after a delivery, we will:
- Pause the referral and review the situation
- Contact the referrer for clarification or guidance
- Escalate concerns to the appropriate authority if required
- Record the incident securely and confidentially
We do not conduct investigations ourselves but always act to protect individuals at risk.
Boundaries and Limitations
The Afiyya Foundation is not a crisis or emergency service.
We do not:
- Provide cash, accommodation, or crisis intervention
- Deliver to locations that are unsafe or unverified
- Accept referrals without professional oversight
We operate within clear ethical and safeguarding boundaries to protect everyone involved.
Safeguarding Culture
Building a culture of safety and trust
Safeguarding Culture
We promote a safeguarding culture by:
- Embedding safeguarding across all forms, guidance, and training
- Equipping volunteers with awareness and reporting routes
- Encouraging open communication and reflective practice
Safeguarding is a shared duty. We aim to lead with care, integrity, and community trust in everything we do.